The Week in Electronics Retail Crime

Best Buy Workers Find Cash in Computer
A group of Best Buy employees in the St. Louis area found something interesting in a computer tower dropped off for repair by a customers- money. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the employees discovered the $10,000 in cash and notified police, who returned the money to its rightful owner. Police said there was nothing illegal or suspicious about the cash.

Walmart Hit With Fine in Trampling Death
Walmart this week was hit with a proposed $7,000 fine by a federal agency, in connection with the trampling death of a store employee that made headlines last November. According to the Los Angeles Times’ Shopping Blog, the retail giant was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which found that Walmart did not implement “reasonable and effective crowd management principles” in preparing for Black Friday. Walmart has the option to either pay the fine or contest the citation.

Three Arrested in ‘Brazen’ Wisconsin Theft
A trio of thieves in Fond du Lac, Wisc., have been arrested for carrying out what police called a brazen theft of $4,000 worth of electronics at a local ShopKo. According to the Fond du Lac Reporter, the men walked into the store, entered a storage room, and broke in with concealed boxcutters, later leaving through an emergency exit. The theft took place on camera, in broad daylight, and while the store was open.

Best Buy Shooting in Tennessee
A 19-year-old man was shot last week in what police say was a drug deal gone awry in the parking lot of a Best Buy in Antioch, Tenn. According to the Tennessean, a pair of suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting of the man, who is reportedly in critical condition.

12 Arrested in Texas Theft Sting
Police in San Antonio last week said they had broken up the largest theft ring in the city’s history. According to local TV station WOAI, 12 were arrested and four suspects remain at large. The scheme entailed employees of several small businesses both buying and selling stolen electronics and other merchandise. The ring was busted after suspects contacted undercover officers offering to sell the electronics.